High-speed circuit breaker operating mechanism



June 30, 1953 H. J. LINGAL ET AL 2,644,053

HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10., 1951 4Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

' Hurry JLingul and Jgseph o. Find|ey,Jr.

INVENTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m. w fi 5 INVENTORS Lingcl and D. Findley,Jr.

ATTORN iii; Ra a? /V Harry J Joseph @1 1 51 June 30, 1953 H. J. LINGALETAL HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10, 1951Patented June 30, 1953 HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISMHarry J. Lingal and Joseph D. Findley, J r., Pittsburgh, Pa., assignorsto Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a.corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 10, 1951, Serial No.210,389

16 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly tohigh-speed operating mechanisms for power air circuit breakers.

Large air circuit breakers are required to close against fault currentsof such magnitude that the blowout forces may stop the contacts beforethey reach full closed position or even blow the contacts open again ifthe closing speed is not maintained above a predetermined minimum. Whilesuch breakers can be closed by a solenoid operated mechanism, however,in small installations, using only one breaker, such as a breaker forsupplying power to a small factory or an office building, the cost of anelectric power source required to close the breaker by means of asolenoid mechanism is often not justified. For this and other reasons,it is desirable to provide manual closing means. However, the powerneeded to manually close a large air breaker at the required speed isgreater than can be provided by an attendant.

' It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an operatingmechanism for a circuit breaker utilizing stored energy means, in whichenergy is stored and releasably held, to efiect high-speed closing ofthe breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating means for acircuit breaker comprising an energy storing device for closing thebreaker and a trip-free thrust transmit ting means for transmitting theenergy stored in said device to the circuit breaker.

Another object of' the invention is to provide an operating mechanismfor a circuit breaker embodying an energy storing device comprising apower spring which is releasable to close the breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism fora circuit breaker embodying a stored energy device in which energy ismanually stored and releasably held to close the breaker and havingmeans for limiting the amount of energy that can be stored in saiddevice.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism fora circuit breaker embodying stored-energy means in which energy may bestored when the breaker is in closed position and releasably held toclose the breaker having means for preventing release of said storedenergy when the breaker is in the closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism foran enclosed circuit breaker having an enclosing housing provided withan'openable door and embodying storedenergy means in which energy ismanually stored and releasably held to close the breaker with meansoperable externally of said enclosing housing to store energy in saidstored-energy means and to control the breaker without having to openthe door.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to structure and operation, together withadditional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood fromthe following detailed description thereof when read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing acircuit breaker embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken through the operatingmechanism showing the mechanism in'the closed circuit position with theclosing spring discharged or unloaded.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the operatingmechanism in the tripped open position just before the mechanism isreset and with the closing spring unloaded.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View similar to Figs. 2 and 3 but showing themechanism in the automatically reset position with the closing springloaded in readiness to close the breaker.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the latching mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational View of the closing springloading mechanism showing a portion of the control column.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view of the control head of the controlcolumn showing the manual controls.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail View of a portion of the trip means formanually tripping the breaker open.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational View, partly broken away of thespring loading mechanism and the control column.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the control head taken on line XX ofFig. 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the control head online XIXI of Fig. 9 showing the closing spring release lever.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a circuit breaker of the typedisclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,515,994, issued July 18, 1950, to

3 Joseph D. Findley, Jr., Alvin W. Ogg and Fritz E. Florschutz, andassigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the circuit breaker is of theroll-out type and is mounted on a carriage comprising a pair of sideplates I I (only one being shown) which are rigidly joined by crossmembers I3, I5, I! and I9 to form a rigid framework for supporting thebreaker. The carriage is provided with wheels 26 to facilitate movementof the circuit breaker into and out of an enclosing cubicle in order toconnect and disconnect the breaker in an electrical circuit and forpurposes of inspection and repair. The cubicle is not shown in thedrawings but a fragment of the door thereof is indicated by dot and dashlines at 22 (Fig. 1).

I'he circuit breaker is of the multi-pole type (only one pole beingshown) and comprises generally, a plurality of pairs of separablecontacts 2| (Fig. l) a common operating mechanism indicated generally at23 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) a latching and trip mechanism indicatedgenerally at (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5), spring closing means 21 (Figs. 1, 2,3 and 4) closing spring loading mechanism indicated generally at 26(Figs. 1, 6 and 9) a control column 28 (Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 9) and acontrol. head 36.

The contact means 2| comprises stationary contacts 29 and 3| (Fig. l)mounted respectively on terminal members 33 and 35 which are rigidlysupported on a back plate 31. The back plate 31 is rigidly supported byangular brackets 39 (only one being shown) rigidly secured to the sideplates I I of the carriage. A switch arm 4| pivotally mounted at 43 onthe terminal member 35 carries a bridging contact member 45 forcooperating with the stationary contacts 29 and 3| to open and close thecircuit. The switch arm 4| also carries a movable arcing contact 41which cooperates with a stationary arcing contact 49 mounted on theterminal 33 for drawing an are upon opening movement of the switch arm.

The switch arm 4| for each pole of the breaker is operatively connectedby means of an insulating operating rod 5| to the operating mechanism23. The upper end of the rod 5| is pivotally connected by means of apivot pin 53 to the switch arm 4| and the lower end of the rod 5| isconnected by means of a screw 55 and a lock nut 51 to an angular crossbar 59 common to all of the poles of the breaker. The cross bar 59 ispivotally connected by means of pivot pins 52 at its ends to anoperating lever comprising a pair of spaced levers 6| (Fig. 1) and 63(Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The operating levers BI and 63 are rigidly connectedby an integral U-shaped cross member 65 (Figs. 2, 3 and 1) and arepivotally supported on a shaft 57. The shaft 3'! is mounted in the sidemembers of a generally U-shaped frame 69 secured to a bracket 7| which.is secured by means of bolts 73 to the cross member II.

The operating mechanism also includes a closing lever "I5 pivotallyamounted on the shaft 81 and comprising a pair of spaced levers (onlyone being shown) rigidly connected by an integral cross bar 11. Theoperating lever 63 and the closing lever 15 are operatively connected bymeans of a collapsible thrust-transmitting toggle comprising togglelinks 81 and 89 pivotally connected together by means of a knee pivotpin 9|. The toggle link 81 is pivotally connected by means of a pivotpin 93 to the operating lever 63 and the toggle link 89 is connected bymeans of a pivot pin '19 to the closing lever I5. The closing lever I5is held in the closed position (Fig. 2) by means of a latch 95 pivotallymounted on a pin 9'! supported in the side members of the frame 69. Thelatch 95 is biased by means of a spring 99 to latching position whereina shoulder formed by a recess in the latch engages a roller IIlI mountedon the pin '19.

The toggle 8T-89 is normally held in its extended but slightly undersetposition by means of a latch member I93 pivoted on the shaft 61 andconnected by means of a link I95 to the knee pin 9| of the toggle. Thelink I05 has one end pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin I91 tothe latch member I93 and the other end connected to the knee pin 9| ofthe toggle 81-89. The latch member I03 is normally releasably held inlatching position by means of the latching and tripping mechanism 25which is more clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The latching and tripping mechanism comprises a trip lever I99 pivotedon a pivot pin III mounted in the side members (only one being shown) ofa generally U=-shaped bracket II3. The bracket IE3 is rigidly secured toa bracket II5 (Fig. 1) which, in turn, is rigidly secured to the sidemembers of the frame 69. The bracket H5 is also secured to the crossmember I3 (Fig. 1) by means of spacers I IT. The trip member I99 carriesa latch roller I I9 pivoted on a pin I2I carried by the trip memberwhich roller is normally biased by means of a spring I23 into engagementwith a shoulder I25 on the latch member I03 to restrain the latter andthe toggle 8'I-89 in the closed or thrust transmitting position.

The latching arrangement of the roller I I9 and the shoulder I25 is suchthat it will not, of itself. restrain the latch member I03 againstreleasing movement. For this reason there is provided a latch roller I21 mounted on a pin I29 in the opposite end of the trip lever I09 fromthe roller I I9. The latch roller I2! is engaged and releasably held inlatching position by a latching portion |3| of a secondary latch I33which is pivoted on a pin I35 in the side members of the bracket H3 andbiased in a counterclockwise direction to latching position by means ofa spring I36. The latch I33 is adapted to be operated to unlatchingposition either manually or automatically to effect release of theoperating mechanism and automatic opening of the breaker.

The latch I33 is automatically operated to unlatching position by meansof a tripping electromagnet I31 comprising a yoke member I39 (Fig. 2)secured to a plate MI rigidly mounted on the r left-hand end of theU-shaped frame 69, an energizing coil I43 and a movable armature (notshown) which is attached to a trip rod I45.

The closing means 21 comprises a powerful spring I41 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4)compressed between the cross member I49 of the Ll-shaped frame 69 and a.flange I5I of a cylindrical member or weight I53. The closing spring 141and the weight I53 are supported between the frame 69 and an end plateI54 which is secured to the frame 69 by means of bolts I55 and spacersI56. The weight I53 is connected by means of an adjustable link I51 to alever I59 pivotally supported on a pivot pin |6I mounted in the sidemember of the frame 69. The link I5! is pivotally connected to themember I53 by means of a pivot pin I63 and to the lever I59 by a pinI65. The lever I59 is connected to the spring loading means 26 (Figs. 1,6 and 9) by means of a link I61 which is pivotally connected to thelever I59 by means of a pin I69. The pin I69 also extends through anelongated 1 areuate slot III in a link I13 pivotally connected to theclosing lever.15 by the pin 19. The other end of the link I51 ispivotally connected by means of a pin I15 (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) to a cammember II"? rigidly mounted on a shaft I19 for rotation therewith. Theshaft I19 is mounted for rotation ina frame IIlI (Figs. 1, 6 and 9)comprising a pair of spaced side members rigidly connected by integralcross members I83 and I85 (Fig. 9) and secured to the plate MI and tothe frame 69 by means of bolts I81. Rigidly fixed to the shaft I19 anddisposed between the side members of the frame Isl is a ratchet wheelI89 which is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction toload the closing spring I41 and releasably hold the spring in its loadedor compressed candition. The ratchet wheel I89 is manually rotated stepby step by means of a pawl I9I pivotally mounted on a pin I93 carried byan operating lever I95 and biased by means of a spring I91 intoengagement with the periphery of the ratchet wheel I99. The operatinglever I95 is mounted on the shaft I19 (Fig. 6) for rota tion relativethereto and is pivotally connected at its free end to an operating rodI99 by means or" a pin 29!. The operating rod I99 extends outwardlythrough the control column 28 and at its outer end is pivotallyconnected by means of a pin 293 (Fig. 7) to a lever 295 which is pivotedon a pin 291 supported in the side members of a casting 299 secured tothe outer end of the control column 29. g

The control column 29 comprises a tube 2 having members 2I3 disposed oneon each side thereof rigidly secured thereto by welding or othersuitable means. The members 2I3 are disposed on the outside of the sidemembers of the frame it! and are rigidly secured thereto by means of apair of upper bolts 2 I 5 and a pair of lower bolts 2I'I.

In order to actuate the lever I95 (Fig. 6) and the pawl I9I to advancethe ratchet wheel I89 the lever 295 (Fig. '1) is provided with anopening 2I9 (Fig. 9) for receiving an operating bar or handle 22! (Figs.1 and 7).

The circuit breaker is shown in Figure 1 in the closed position with theclosing spring I41 in its unloaded condition. In order to load orcompress the spring I41 the handle 22I is moved up and down after thefashion of a pump handle. k

ment the pawl I9I engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel I89 and rotatesthe ratchet wheel one step or the distance of one ratchet tooth. Upwardmovement of the handle 221 reverses the movement of the lever I95 andretracts the pawl I9I causing it to drop in back of the next followingtooth of the ratchet wheel I89. The ratchet wheel I89 is prevented fromretrograde movement during the retractin movement of the lever I95 andpawl I9I by means of a retaining pawl 223 (Fig. 6) pivoted on a pin 225and biased by a spring into engagem nt with the teeth of the ratchetwheel I89.

Since both the ratchet wheel I89 and the cam I11 are rigidly fixed tothe shaft I19, the counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel causesthe cam I11 to rotate in the same direction. Ihe rotation of the cam I11draws the link I61 step by step toward th left or front of the breakerand acting through the lever I59 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and link I51 drawsthe member I53 toward the left from the Fig. 1 position to the positionshown in Figs. 4 and 6 compressin the closing spring I41. As the pin I15(Fig; 6) which connects the link I61 to the cam I11, passes below thehorizontal center line of the shaft I19 the closing spring I41 actsthrough the weight I53, the link I51, lever I59 and link IE? toadvancethe cam I11 until a shoulder 229 (Fig. 6) thereon engages a latch roller23I which releasably holds the mechanism and the closing spring incondition for a closing operation.

The latch roller 23I is mountedon a pin 233 carried between the freeends of a pair of spaced latch levers 235 rigidly secured to a hub 231which, in turn, is rigidly fixed to a shaft 239 pivotally mounted in theside members of the frame I8I. Rigidly secured to the shaft 239 betweenthe sides of the frame I8I is an arm 24I (Fig. 6)

which extends to a point between the side member 2I3 to be engaged by arod 243 extending outwardly through the control column 23. The lowerends of rod 2 2-3 and the operating rod I99 extend through openings in aguide member 245 (Fig. 9) rigidly mounted in the lower end of thecontrol column tube 2II. At their outer ends the rods I99 and 243 areguided by openings in an integral portion 241 of the casting 299 Theouter end of the rod 249 is biased by means of a spring 249 intoengagement with. one arm 25I of a closing spring release lever 253(Figs. 9 and 11). The lever 253 is pivotally supported on a pin, 255mounted in one side of the casting 299 and in a bracket 251 integralwith. the casting 209. Clockwise movement of the lever 253 (Fig. 11)thrusts the rod 243'downward1y causing the lower end thereof to engagethe arm MI and actuate the arm, the shaft 239 and the latch levers 235to disengage the latch roller 213i from the shoulder 229 thus releasingthe closing spring to effect closing of the breaker in a mannerhereinafter described.

In addition to the tripping magnet I31 (Figs. 2 and 9) the breaker ismanually tripped open from outside the cubicle and without opening thedoor 22 (Fig. l) by operation of a manual trip lever 259 (Figs. '7 and9). lever 259 is pivoted on a pin 25I supported between the left-handside (Fig. l) of the casting 299 and a bracket 263 integral with thecasting 299. An arm 255 of the lever 259 extends into the hollow casting299 and is adapted to engage the outer end of a rod 261 guided forsliding movement in the portion 291 of the casting 299 and in the guidemembers 245 (Fig. 9) in the lower end of the control tube M I. Pivotedon a stud bolt 289 (Figs. 6 and 8) in the frame I8I is a lever 21Ihaving an arm 213 extending downwardly between the side member of theframe I8I and disposed to be engaged by the lower end of the rod 261.The other arm 215 of the lever 21I has attached to the free end thereofa rod or wire 211the other end of which is attached to the free end ofone arm 2.19 (Fig. 9) of ,a bell crank lever 29I the other arm 285 ofwhich is disposed beneath the secondary latch member I33 (see also Figs.2 and 5) of the latching and tripping mechanism. The bell crank 23I ispivoted on a pin 285 supported in a bracket 28? secured by means ofbolts 289 to the "plate I4I,. the bolts 289 also serving to secure theupper end of the yoke I39 to the plate 54 I. I

It will thus be seen that the secondaryflatch I33 is operated tounlatching position to-effect opening of the circuit breaker either byenergization of the tripping electromagnet I31 orman Themanual trip manyby operation of the lever 259 (Figs. 7 and 9) Clockwise movement of thelever 259 (Fig. 7) thrusts the rod 261 downwardly causing the lower endthereof to engage the lever 21I (Fig. 8)

and move the lever in a clockwise direction (Fig.v

8) or counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 9. This movement of the lever211 through the rod 211 moves the bell crank 28! clockwise causing thearm 283 thereof to engage and move the secondary latch I33 to unlatchingposition.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the operating mechanism 23 is shownin the closed and latched position. In the closed position, theoperating lever 6I-63 (Figs. 1 and 2) is biased in a clockwise oropening direction by means of a coiled spring 29i (Fig. 1) disposed in acylinder 293 rigidly mounted on the frame 69. A piston 295 disposed forreciprocal movement in the cylinder 293 is connected y means of a link291 to the arm SI of the operating lever and the spring 29I iscompressed between the piston 295 and a closure plate 299 suitablysecured to the upper end of the cylinder 293. The cylinder 293 andpiston 295 also serve as a clash pot to absorb the final openingmovement of the breaker and operating mechanism. The spring 29I actingthrough the piston 295 and the link 291 biases the operating leverISL-63 in a clockwise or breaker opening direction. The biasing force ofthe spring 29I is transmitted by means of the toggle 8189 to the closinglever 15 which is normally restrained in the position shown in Fig. 2 bythe latch 95. The force of the spring 29I, therefore, tends to force thetoggle 81-89 to collapse toward the right (Fig. 2) which is prevented bythe link I and the latching mechanism. A component of the force tendingto collapse the toggle 81-89 is applied through the link I05 to thelatch member I03 tending to rotate the latter in a counterclockwisedirection, the latch member I03 bein restrained by the slip-oil" latchII9- I25, and this latch, in turn, is restrained by the latch I21I3l(Fig. 5).

When the secondary latch I33 is operated, either by energization of thetripping magnet I31 or by manipulation of the manual lever 259 (Figs. '1and 9) and rod 261, the latching portion I3I thereof is moved in aclockwise direction out from under the roller I21 (Fig. 5). When thisoccurs the force tending to collapse the toggle 81-419, a component ofwhich is applied to the latch member I03, forces the roller latch II9out of the path of the shoulder I25 whereupon the latch member I03 isfree to rotate in tripping direction and no longer maintains the toggle81-89 in its extended underset position. Upon release of the latchmember I03 the toggle 91-89 immediately collapses under the influence ofthe spring 29I which immediately rotates the operating lever 6I63 to theposition in which it appears in Fig. 3 to effect opening of the circuitbreaker contacts.

If the closing spring I41 has been previously'loaded or compressedmoving the pin I69 to a point adjacent the left-hand end of the slot I1Iin the link I13, the toggle 81-B9 will be immediately reset to theposition shown in Fig. 4. However, if the closing spring I41 is in itsdischarged condition as shown in Fig. 3, the pin I69 remains in theright-hand end of the slot I1! and the operating mechanism will be heldin this position until the spring I41 is compressed.

Assuming that the closing spring has been compressed, upon collapse ofthe toggle 81-49, a pin 30I on the toggle link 89 engages the latch 8and moves it to unlatching position thus freeingthe closing lever 15whereupon a spring 303 tensioned between the plate MI and the lever 15moves the latter clockwise from the Figure 3 position to the positionshown in Fig. 4. This movement of the lever 15 straightens the toggle81-89 and through the link I05 rotates the latch member I03 clockwise toa position wherein the latch roller H9 is i e-engaged with the shoulderI25. The operating mechanism is now in the reset and relatched positionshown in Fig. 4 and in condition for a closing operation. The resetposition of the closing lever 15 is adjustably determined by anadjustable stop 305 (Figs. 2, 3

. and 4) against which a shoulder on the lever 15 rests in the resetposition of the parts.

With the closin spring I41 in the discharged position as shown in Fig.3, the right-hand end of the slot I1I in the hub I13 is biased by thespring 303 against the pin I69 connecting the lever I59 to the link I01.This prevents immediate resetting of the operating mechanism, however,upon operation of the spring charging mechanism 26 (Figs. 1 6) in thepreviously described manner, the link IE1 is drawn toward the left tothe position shown in Fig. 4 in order to compress the spring I41.During. thi movement of the link I61, the spring 303 rotates the closinglever in clockwise or resetting direction maintaining the end of theslot I1I against the pin I69 until the movement of the lever 15 isarrested by the shoulder thereon striking the stop 305. The operatingmechanism is now in the reset and relatched position and the closingspring in its loaded or charged condition.

In order to close the breaker following an opening and resettingoperation, the attendant operates the lever 253 (Figs. 9 and 11) in aclockwise clirectlon which thrusts the rod 243 downwardly causin thelower end thereof to engage the arm 24I (Fig. 6) and rock this arm, theshaft 239 and the latch levers 235 clockwise to withdraw the latchroller 23l from in front of the shoulder 229 on the cam I11, thusreleasing the cam and the closing spring. The cam I11 is now free torotate and, since the point of connection I15 of the link I61 to the camis below the center line of the shaft I19, the closing spring I41 nowquickly expands rotating the cam I11 counterclockwise as indicated bythe arrow (Fig. 6). Referring to Fig. 4, as the spring I41 expands, itthrusts the member I53 toward the right and through the link I51 rotatesthe lever I59'in a clockwise direction at high speed. This movement ofthe lever I59 is transmitted through the pin I69 and link I13 to theclosing lever 15 moving this lever counterclockwise. Since the toggle81-89 is now latched in its thrust transmitting position, thecounterclockwise movement of the closing lever 15 is transmittedtherethrough to the lever fiI-I33 which, in turn, transmits thismovement through the rod 5! to the switch arm M to close the breakercontacts.

Indicating means is provided in the control head 30 (Fig. 9) to indicatethe open or closed position of the circuit breaker. The indicating meanscomprises an indicator 301 (Figs. 9, l0 and 11) pivoted on a pin 309supported in the sides of the casting 209. The indicator 301 is biasedby means of a spring 3I I coiled about the pin 309 to position a legendclosed in alignment with a sight opening (H3 in the face of the controlhead. The indicator 301 is connected by means of a wire or small rod SP5to a lever 3I1 (Figs. 1 and 6) pivoted on a pin 3I9 supported in the '9frame I81. When the breaker is tripped open and the lever 6| (Figs. 1and 6) moves to the open position, a projection 32f of the lever 6|engages the lever 3 ll and moves it counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 6.This movement of the.

lever 3i? pulls downward on the rod Hi5 and operates the indicator Sillto position an open legend in alignment with the sight opening 3E3 I(Fig. 9)

of a spring 325 to a position to present a legend? loaded in alignmentwith a sight'opening 32? inthe face of the control head 36] (Fig. 9).The indicator is connected by means of a rod or wire 329 to the arm 2M(Fig. 6) which operates the latch lever 235. When the closing spring 14?is in a charged or loaded condition, the latch roller 233i (Fig. 5)occupies a position in the path of the shoulder 229 on the cam Ill inwhich position the spring 325 maintains the indicator in the positionwherein the legend loaded is 1 displayed through the sight opening 32?.When the lever 25.! (Figs. 7 and 9) is operated to disengage the latchroller 23% (Fig. 6) from the cam ill the arm Edi pull down in the rod329 actuating the indicator 323 to present a legend unloaded through thesight opening 323. As long as the closing spring 543 is in thedischarged or unloaded condition, the shoulder 22. is out of alignmentwith the latch roller 235 which is then in engagement with the peripheryof the cam l'll thus holding, the indicator 3.23 in position to indicatethe unloaded condition of the spring. When the spring charging mechanism.26 is operated to compress or load the spring Ml, the roller will againdrop into position in the path of the shoulder 229 permitting the spring525 (Fig. 10) to move the indicator 323 to the position in which itindicates that the spring is loaded.

The spring loading means 25 is so constructed a that the spring id'scannot be overloaded and also cannot be discharged. until it is fullyloaded. When the pin H5 (Fig. 6) which connects the link it's to the camll? moves over center below the center line of the shaft 579, theclosing spring Ml is effective to slightly advance the cam to bring theshoulder 229 into latching engagement with the roller 235. This movementof the cam I7? is sufficient to advance the last tooth of the ratchetwheel 58?: beyond the reach of the pawl lS-l in its fully advancedposition consequently any operations of the handle 22! after the partsare in the positions shown in Fig. 6 are idle and without effect toengage or advance the ratchet wheel I89. This limits the compression orloading of the spring H ll to a predetermined compression. Theoscillatory movement of the lever I95 (Fig. 6) is limited by stop studsI8 and I95 on the frame 58!.

When the closing spring I4! is discharged or in a partially loadedcondition, the latch roller 23! (Fig. 6) rides on the periphery of thecam Ill, and does not drop into the recess formed by the shoulder 229until the spring Ml is fully loaded, hence, the spring cannot be outeffect of a fault current.

tripped or discharged from a partially loaded condition.

As previously set forth, the closing spring may be compressed or loadedeither while the breaker is in the closed position or after it has beentripped open. Release of the powerful closing spring when the breaker isin the closed position and the spring has. no work to do would result inunnecessary slamming and possible damage to the parts. To avoid this,means is provided to prevent releaseof the closing spring in the closedposition of the breaker.v Referring to Fig. 11 of the drawings, theindicator 301, which indicates the open and closed positions of thebreaker, is shown in the closed position. in this position, theindicator lies in the path of travel of an arm 553i of the lever 253which is manually actuated toefiect release of the closing spring thuseffectually, blocking releasing movement of the lever 253. When thebreaker is tripped open the indicator it? is moved clockwvise out of thepath of the arm 33! after which the lever 25% may be operated at will torelease the closing opening and efiect closing of the breaker.

The closing spring I l? must be capable of storing sufficient energy toeffect high-speed closing of the circuit breaker against the blow- Sincemost or" the closing operations are against normal rated currents, meansis provided to absorb the excess energy of the closing spring on normalclosing operations. The energy absorbing means includes an abutment 333(Figs. 2, 3 and a) disposed in a counterbore 335 in the member i523. Theabutment 333 is provided with an integral stem 33? which extends througha guide opening in the end plate I55 and has a stop nut ass threadedthereon to limit the inward movement of the abutment. Disposed betweenthe abutment 2533 and the end plate led is a series of inner and outerspring friction rings 3M and The contacting surfaces of the rings 34kareangular with respect to each other so that when the member I53 strikesthe abutment 333 near the end of a closing operation the frictiongenerated by th spring rings s ll-35.3 sliding over each otherdissipates the excess energy of the closing spring Nil and preventsexcessive slamming of the parts.

In certain testing procedures it is desirable to move the breaker to atest position near the door 22 (Fig. 1) with the door in the closedposition. By removing the lower bolts 2F (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) the controlcolumn 28 may be pivoted about the upper bolts M5 to the verticalposition indicated by dot and dash lines at 28c (Fig. 1) withoutdisconnecting any of the corn trol connections extending through thecontrol column. With the lower bolts 21? removed, the control column 28may also be lowered about the bolts 2|5 as a pivot to the horizontalposition indicated by the dot and dash lines at 28b also withoutdisconnecting any of the controls. Ln order to effect this pivotalmovement of the control column the ratchet wheel operating rod or carI99 is made in two parts that are pivotally connected by means of a pin345 (Fig. 9) normally in axial alignment with the bolts 255. When thecontrol column 28 is swung about the bolts 2l5 either to the vertical orhorizontal positions, the operating rod 5% pivots about the pin 345."During such movement of the control column the control wires 3l5 and32d flex to permit the movement of the control column and i l the lowerends of the control rods 243 and 261 swing in a radius to clear theirrespective levers 2t! and With the control column in its verticalposition, the circuit breaker may be rolled out to a position justinside the door and the door closed for test purposes.

Having described the invention in accordance with the patent statutes,it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may bemade in the structural details thereof without departing from some ofthe essential features of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuitbreaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having anopenable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect openingof said circuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breakercomprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism operable tostore energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasablyholding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control meanssupported on said breaker terminating adjacent to said housing andaccessible from outside said housing, means on said control means formanually operating said energy storing mechanism to store energy in saidstored energy device, means on said control means operable to releasesaid operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker free of saidclosing means, and means on said control means manually operable torelease said stored energy device to effect closing of said breaker,said energy storing mechanism, said operating mechanism release means,and said stored energy release means all being operable from outsidesaid housing while said openable door remains closed.

A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker,an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable doortherein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of saidcircuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising acompression spring, means operable to compress said spring, holdingmeans releasably holding said spring in compressed condition, controlmeans supported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom andterminating adjacent to said housing, means on said control means formanually operating said spring compressing means, means on said controlmeans operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening ofsaid breaker free of said closing means, and means on said control meansmanually operable to release said spring to effect closing of saidbreaker, said spring compressing means, said operating mechanism releasemeans, and said spring release means all being operable from outside ofsaid housing while said openable door remains closed.

3. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuitbreaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having anopenable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect openingof said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means operable to releasesaid operating mechanism to effect automatic opening of said breaker,closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energydevice, energy storing mechanism operable to store energy in said storedenergy device, holding means releasablyholding said stored energy insaid stored energy device, control means supported on said breakerterminating adjacent to said housing and accessible from outside saidhousing, means on said control means for manually operating said energystoring mechanism to store energy in said stored energy device, manuallyoperable means on said control means operable to release said operatingmechanism to effect opening of said breaker free of said closing means,and means on said control means manually operable to release said storedenergy device to effect closing of said breaker, aid energy storingmechanism, said operating mechanism release means, and said storedenergy release means all being operable from outside said housing whilesaid openable door remains closed.

4. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuitbreaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having anopenable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect openingof said circuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breakercomprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism operable tostore energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasablyholding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control meanssupported on said breaker terminating adjacent to said housing andaccessible from outside said housing, means on said control means formanually operating said energy storing mechanism to store energy in saidstored energy device, means on said control means operable to releasesaid operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker, and means onsaid control means manually operable to release said stored energydevice to effect closing of said breaker, electroresponsive meansoperable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of saidbreaker trip free of said closing means, said energy storing mechanism,said operating mechanismv release means, and said stored energy releasemeans all being operable from outside said housing While said openabledoor remains closed.

5. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuitbreaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having anopenable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect openingof said circuit breaker, electroresponsive trip means responsive tooverload currents to release said operating mechanism and opening ofsaid breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising acompression spring, means operable to compress said spring, holdingmeans releasably holding said spring in compressed condition, controlmeans supported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom andterminating adjacent to said housing, means on said control means formanually operating said spring compressing means, means on said controlmeans operable to release said operating mechanism to eifect opening ofsaid breaker, and means on said control means manually operable torelease said spring to effect closing of said breaker, said springcompressing means, said operating mechanism release means, and saidspring release means all being operable from outside of said housingwhile said openable door remains closed, said operating mechanism beingreleasable to effect opening of said breaker free of said closingspring.

6. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biasedopen, operating means for said contacts comprising an operating leveroperable to effect opening of said contacts, a closing lever foroperating said operating lever to close said contacts, thrusttransmitting means connecting said levers, releasable means normallyrestraining said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmittingposition, said operating lever, said closing lever and said releasablemeans being pivoted about a common axis, trip means for releasing saidreleasable means to effect opening of said contacts free of said closinglever, closing means comprising a spring, means operable to compresssaid spring, a linkage connecting said spring compressing means to saidspring, connecting means connecting said linkage to said closing lever,latch'means normally restraining said spring in compression and operableto release said spring, said spring when released acting through saidlinkage and said connecting means to actuate'said closing lever to closesaid contacts, and manual means operable to release said latch means. I'7. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biasedopen, operating means for said contacts comprising an operating leveroperable to effect opening of said contacts, a closing lever foroperating said operating lever to close said contacts, thrusttransmitting means connecting said levers, releasable means normallyrestraining said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmittingposition, said operating lever, said closing lever and said releasablemeans being pivoted about a common axis, trip means for releasing saidreleasable means to effect opening of said contacts free of said closinglever, closing means comprising a spring disposed on one side of saidoperating mechanism, means disposed on the opposite side of saidoperating mechanism from saidspring and operable to compress saidspring, a linkage connecting said spring compressing means to saidspring, connecting means connecting said linkage to said closing lever,latch means normally restraining said spring in compression and operableto release said spring, said spring when released acting through saidlinkage and said connecting means to actuatesaid closing lever to closesaid contacts, and manual means operable to release said latch means.

8. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biasedopen, operating means;

-for said contacts comprising an operating lever operable to effectopening of said contacts, a closing lever for operating said operatinglever to close said contacts, thrust transmitting means connecting saidlevers, releasable means normally i restraining said thrust transmittingmeans in thrust transmitting position, said operating lever, saidclosing lever and said releasable means being pivoted about a commonaxis, trip means for releasing said releasable means to permit collapseof said thrust transmitting means and effect opening of said contactsfree of said closing lever, closing means comprising a spring, meansoperable to compress said spring, a linkage connecting said springcompressing means to said spring, connecting means connecting saidlinkage to said closing lever, latch means normally restraining saidspring in compression and operable to release said spring, said springwhen released acting through said linkage and said connecting means toactuate said closing lever to close said con' tacts, and manual meansoperable to release said latch means, said connecting means beingpivotally connected to said closing lever and having a pin and slotconnection with said linkage to permit compression of said spring whilesaid breaker is in the closed position.

9. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means andreleasable operating mechanism for said contact means including, an

enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable doortherein, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a storedenergy device, energy storing mechanism mounted on said circuit breakerand operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding meansreleasably holding said stored energy in said stored energy device,control means comprising a control tube having one end mounted on saidoperating energy storing mechanism, a control head mounted on the otherend of said control tube adjacent said openable door and accessible fromoutside said door, actuating means in said control head operable toactuate said energy storing mechanism, a first trip means in saidcontrol head operable to cause an opening operation of said operatingmechanism free of said closing means, and a second trip means in saidcontrol head operable to release said stored energy device to eilect aclosing operation of said operating mechanism, said actuating means,said first trip means and said second trip means all being operable fromoutside of said housing while said openable door remains closed.

10. In an enclosed circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contactmeans and releasable operating mechanism therefor, an enclosing housingfor said circuit breaker having an open able door thereon, closing meanscomp-rising a spring for operating said operating mechanism to closesaid breaker, means operable to compress said spring, holding meansreleasably holding said spring in compressed condition, control meanssupported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom and terminatingadjacent to said openable door, means on said control means for manually operating said spring compressing means, means on said controlmeans manually operable to release said spring to close said breaker,and means operable according to the position of said operating mechanismto prevent release of said spring when said operating mechanism is inthe closed position.

11. In an enclosed circuit breaker comprising areleasable operatingmechanism for said breaker, am enclosing housing for said circuitbreaker having an openable door thereon, trip mechanism operable torelease said operating mechanism to effect opening operation of saidoperating mechanism, spring means for actuating said operating mechanismto close said breaker, a

spring charging means operable to store energy in said spring, meansreleasably holding said spring means in charged condition, a linkageconnecting said spring means to said spring charging device and to saidoperating mechanism, a control device for said circuit breakeraccessible from outside said openable door while said door remainsclosed, actuatin means in said control device for actuating said springcharging means, a first indicating means on said control device operatedby said spring charging means to indicate the condition of said spring,means on said control device for actuating said trip mechanism to effectopening ofsaid circuit breaker, means on said control device operable toactuate said spring holding means to release said spring ating mechanismfor said breaker, a trip device operable to effect opening of saidbreaker, spring closing means for said breaker, a spring charging deviceoperable to store energy in said spring, means releasably holdin saidspring in charged condition and operable to release said spring toefiect closing of said breaker, a control device mounted on said frameand extending outwardly therefrom, control means on said control devicefor actuating said trip device, said spring charging means and saidspring holding means, connections for said control means extendingthrough said control device connecting said control means to theelements actuated thereby, and means pivotally mounting said controldevice on said frame to permit movement of said control device to aplurality of positions without disconnecting any of said connections.

13. A circuit breaker comprising operating mechanism operable to effectopening and closing of said breaker, an enclosing housing for saidbreaker having an openable door, spring means for actuating saidoperating mechanism to close the breaker, spring charging means operableto store energy in said spring, means releasably holding said spring incharged condition, a linkage connecting said spring to said spring charging means and to said operating mechanism, a control device comprising atube mounted on said breaker having a normal operating positionextending outwardly therefrom and movable to a plurality of otherpositions, a control element mounted on said control tube adjacent tosaid openable door when said control device is in said normal position,and a lever mounted in said control element operable from outside ofsaid door to actuate said spring charging means while said door remainsclosed.

14. A circuit breaker comprisin operating mechanism operable to effectopening and closing of said breaker, an enclosing housing for saidbreaker having an openable door, spring means for actuating saidoperating mechanism to close the breaker, spring charging means operableto store energy in said spring, means releasably holding said spring incharged condition, a linkage connecting said spring to said springcharging means and to said operating mechanism, a control devicecomprising a tube mounted on said breaker and having a normal operatingposition extending outwardly therefrom, a control element mounted onsaid tube adjacent to said openable door, and a lever mounted in saidcontrol element operable from outside said door to actuate said springchargin means while said door remains closed, and means pivotallymounting said control device for movement to a position other than saidnormal position.

15. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means andreleasable operating mechanism for said contact means including closingmeans for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energystoring mechanism mounted on said circuit breaker and operable to storeenergy in said stored energy device, holding means releasably holdingsaid stored energy in said stored energy device, control meanscomprising a control tube having one end mounted on said operatingmechanism, a control head mounted on the other end of said control tube,actuating means in said control head operable to actuate said energystoring mechanism, a first trip means in said control head operable tocause an opening operation of said operating mechanism and opening ofsaid contacts free of said closing means, and a second trip means insaid control head operable to release said stored energy device toeffect a closing operation of said operating mechanism.

16. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means andreleasable operating mechanism for said contact means including closingmeans for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energystoring mechanism mounted on said circuit breaker and operable to storeenergy in said stored energy device, control means including a controlhead mounted on said operating mechanism, actuating means in saidcontrol head operable to actuate said energy storin mechanism, a firsttrip means in said control head operable to cause an opening operationof said operating mechanism and opening of said contacts free of saidclosing means, a second trip means in said control head operable torelease said stored energy device to effect a closing operation of saidoperating mechanism, and said control head being movable relative tosaid circuit breaker.

HARRY J. LINGAL. JOSEPH D. FINDLEY, Jn.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,318,342 Thompson May 4, 1943 2,388,934 Pearson Nov. 13, 19452,449,820 Seaman Sept. 21, 1948 2,458,800 Schultz Jan. 11, 1949

